KNIGHTS  OF  PYTHIAS 
CEREMONIES 

.  ...  OF  ...  . 

Laying  Corner-Stones 

 and  

Dedicating  Castle  Halls 


SUPREME  LODGE 

/  JURISDICTION 

N.  A.,  S.  A.,  E.,  A.,  A,  &  A. 


C  K.  R03INSON  PRINTING  CO..  8T.  LOUIS.  MO, 
1918 


KNIGHTS  OF  PYTHIAS 
CEREMONIES 

....  OF  .... 

Laying  Corner=Stones 

 AND  

Dedicating  Castle  Halls 


SUPREME  LODGE 

JURISDICTION 

N.  A.,  S.  A.,  E.,  A.,  A,  &  A. 


C.  K.  ROBINSON  PRINTING  CO.,  ST.  LOUIS.  MO, 
1918 


GENERAL  DIRECTIONS 

w 

The  officer  for  laying  a  cornerstone  or  dedicating  a 
Castle  Hall  shall  be  a  Supreme  or  Grand  Chancellor  or 
a  Deputy  appointed  by  him.  If  the  Supreme  or  Grand 
Chancellor  officiates,  the  ceremonies  shall  be  declared  to 
be  in  "Knightly  and  Chivalric  Form." 

If  a  Deputy  officiates  it  shall  be  declared  to  be  in 
"Knightly  Form." 

The  Supreme  or  Grand  Chancellor's  expenses  and  3 
Dollars  per  day  shall  be  paid  by  the  lodge  for  which  the 
ceremonies  are  performed.  A  Deputy's  expenses  shall 
be  paid  and  2  Dollars  per  day,  and  he  shall  be  entitled 
to  the  honors  of  a  Grand  Chancellor  while  officiating  in 
the  ceremonies. 

All  officers  and  Knights  when  addressing  the  Supreme 
01  Grand  Chancellor,  or  addressed  by  him,  shall  make 
a  military  salute  with  the  hand,  and  if  in  uniform,  with 
the  sword. 

At  public  dedications  the  use  of  the  Signs  and  Pass 
words  shall  be  dispensed  with  and  the  doors  of  the  Cas- 
tle Hall  may  be  opened. 


COMPANIES  OF  UNIFORM  RANK 

If  a  Company  of  the  Uniform  Rank  attends  the  cere- 
rionies,  they  shall  be  an  escort  to  the  Lodge  and  Grand 
Officers. 


At  all  consecrations  the  Lodge  and  Sir  Knights  si-All 
meet  at  the  Castle  Hall  at  the  appointed  time,  and  open 
in  the  Knight  Rank  and  receive  the  Supreme  or  Grand 
Chancellor  with  the  proper  honors  due  him. 

The  Supreme  or  Grand  Chancellor  shall  be  accom- 
panied by  a  Grand  Master-at-Arms. 

GRAND  ENTERING 

The  Dedicating  Officers  enter  the  ante-room  in  the  reg- 
ular way  and  clothe  themselves  in  the  proper  regalia, 
uniform  or  insignia  of  their  Rank.  The  Grand  Master- 
at-Arms  works  his  way  into  the  Lodge  room  in  the  ordi- 
nary manner,  and  advancing  to  the  altar  will  salute  the 
Chancellor  Commandner  in  the  usual  manner;  or,  if  in 
public  with  a  military  salute.  .  In  case  the  Officer  is  spec- 
ially appointed  the  Grand  Master-at-Arms  will  read  the 
commission.    He  will  say: 

G.  M.  at  A. — '-'Chancellor  Commander,  as  Grand  Mas- 
ter-at-Arms, I  am  here  to  inform  you  that  the  Grand 
Chancellor  is  in  readiness  here  in  the  ante  room,  for  the 
purpose  of  performing  the  ceremonies  of  Consecration 
in  behalf  of  this  lodge;  you  will  therefore  hold  yourself 
and  the  Lodge  in  order  so  as  to  receive  him  in  proper 
form  and  with  due  honors. 

C.  C.  (Rising  and  returning  the  salute) — "Grand  Mas- 
ter-at-Arms, I  thank  you  for  your  courteous  notifica- 
tions, and  will  see  that  the  appropriate  honors  are 
given." 

(The  G.  M.  at  A.  salutes  and  retires.  The  C.  C.  gives 
one  rap  and  sayat  1 


C.  C. — "Brother  Master-at-A  rms." 

M.  A.  (rising  and  salutes. — "Chancellor  Commander." 

C.  C. — "You  will  retire  to  the  ante  room  and  inform 
the  Grand  Chancellor  that  the  Lodge  awaits  his  pleas- 
ure.'- 

(The  Master-at-Arms  retires,  delivers  messages  and 
returns.  The  Grand  Chancellor  heing  ready  to  enter, 
tl.e  G.  M.  A.  will  give  the  usual  alarm  with  the  hilt  of 
fit's  sword.) 

I.  G. — "\V|ho  comes  here?" 

G.  M.  at  A.  (with  drawn  sword.) — "The  Grand  Chan- 
cellor and  his  escort." 

I.  G. — "Vice  Chancellor,  the  Grand  Chancellor  de- 
mands admission  to  this  Castle  Hall." 

V.  C.  (rising) — "Chancellor  Commander,  the  Grand 
Chancellor  demands  adniission." 

C.  C. — "Let  him  he  admitted  without  further  chal- 
lenge." 

As  the  Grand  Chancellor  enters  the  C.  C.  calls  up  the 
Lodge  the  Grand  honors  are  given,  while  the  G.  C.  is  be- 
ing escorted  to  the  Chancellor's  station.  The  C.  C.  pre- 
sents the  Gavel  to  him,  who  then  assumes  control  of  the 
Lodge,  orders  them  to  recover  and  then  seats  the  Lodge. 

Grand  Chancellor. — "By  authority  of  the  power  of  the 

Grand  Lodge  of  the  Jurisdiction  of  1  now  assume 

control  of  this  Lodge  for  the  purpose  stated.  Therefore 
you  will  please  govern  yourselves  accordingly." 

I  will  now  appoint  Bro.  as  Grand  Master  of 

Ceremonies.    Bro.  you  will  now  arrange,  and 

form  the  procession  as  follows,  to  proceed  to  the  place  of 
the  dedication. 


ORDER  OF  PROCESSION 


1.  Company  of  Uniform  Rank. 

2.  Outer  Guard  (with  drawn  sword) 
;•».  Pages  two  and  two. 

4.  Esquires  two  and  two. 

5.  Knights  two  and  two. 

G.  Inner  Guard  with  a  Battle  Axe. 

7.  K.  of  R.  and  S.  and  Master-at-Arms. 

8.  Master  of  Finance  and  Master  of  Exchequer. 

9.  V.  C.  with  small  Blue  Banner,  and  Prelate  with 
the  Holy  Bible. 

10.  C.  C.  with  a  small  Red  Banner — P.  C.  with  a 
small  Yellow  Banner. 

11.  P.  C.'s  two  and  two. 

12.  P.  G.  C's  two  and  two. 

13.  Grand  Chancellor  supported  by  two  Knights  witr 
drawn  sword. 

On  arriving  at  the  pla.ce  for  laying  the  Corner  Stone, 
the  procession  halts  and  opens  order.  The  company  and 
all  Knights  in  Uniform  will  cross  swords  and  uncover 
while  the  Grand  Chancellor  and  Officers  pass  through  to 
the  place  of  laying  the  stone.  All  the  members  of  the 
Order  will  then  form  a  half  circle. 

A  hymn  will  be  sung,  or  Sacred  music  after  which  the 
Stone  will  be  presented  on  an  elevated  stand. 


G.  C.  (will  sprinkle  with  pure  water  on  the  stone)  — 
"Let  the  beginning  be  pure  as  this  water." 
The  Prelate  will  ask  Divine  Blessing. 

PRAYER-PRELATE 

O  Almighty  God  who  has  built  Thy  Temple  upon  the 
foundation  of  thy  almighty  power  and  word,  the  Messiah 
himself  being  the  chief  head  of  the  Corner  Stone,  the 
rock  and  Keystone  of  our  faith,  Grant  that  we  may  be  so 
joined  together  in  the  unity  of  spirit  by  the  teachings, 
that  this  may  be  made  an  Holy  Temple  acceptable  unto 
Thee,  and  as  pure  as  the  water  which  has  been  here  ap- 
plied to  the  Cornerstone,  through  our  Lord  and  Savior, 
Amen. 

(All  respond.  Amen.) 

Grand  Chancellor. — "The  occasion  for  which  we  here 
aseiuble,  is  to  consecrate  the  foundation  stone  of  this 
C  astle,  dedicated  to  the  Order  of  Knights  of  Pythn%s. 
The  three  principal  steps  of  the  Order  upon  which  we 
advancd  are  inculcated  in  the  colors  of  the  Order  emb- 
lematical of  Friendship,  Charity  and  Benevolence.  In 
Friendship  as  a  Page,  advancing  upon  the  first  step  of 
Knighthood;  and  with  charity,  we  stand  as  esquire  upon 
the  second  step,  ready  to  advance  upon  the  Third,  a  val- 
iant Knight,  extending  the  hand  of  Benevolence.  U^on 
these  principles  the  foundation  stone  of  this  edifice  is 
laid.  Brother  Vice  Chancellor,  what  is  the  color  of  your 
Banner?" 

V.  C. — "Blue." 

G.  C. — "Present  it,  and  give  its  historical  principles." 


V.  G.  (  Holds  Banner  over  stone  and  waves  it  while  he 
reads)  —  "The  color  of  my  hanner  is  one  of  the  most 
durable  and  beautiful  in  nature.  It  is  the  appropriate 
color  adopted,  by  our  ancient  brethren,  and  is  the  pe- 
culiar characteristic  of  an  institution  which  has  stood 
the  test  of  ages,  and  which  is  as  much  distinguished  by 
the  durability  of  its  materials  of  principles  and  by  the 
beauty  of  its  superstructure.  It  is  an  emblem  of  univer- 
sal "Friendship,"  and  instructs  that  in  the  mind  ot  a 
Knight  those  virtues  should  be  as  expansive  as  the  blue 
arch  of  Heaven  itself."     (Lays  the  Banner  on  the  stone.) 

Grand  Chancellor. — "What  implement  do  you  pos- 
sess?" 

V.  C.  (Drawing  his  sword  strikes  the  stone  once  with 
the  blade.) — "The  sword  for  the  defense  of  a  friend  and 
the  protection  of  myseir  and  family."  (Lays  his  sword 
on  the  stone.) 

Grand  Chancellor. — "Brother  Past  Chancellor  what  is 
fhe  color  of  your  Banner?" 

P.  C. — "Yellow." 

Grand  Chancellor.-—-  Present  it  and  give  its  historical 
pi  inciples." 

P.  C.  (Holds  the  Banner  over  the  stone  and  waves  it 
while  he  reads. y^-"The  color  of  my  Banner  is  that 
which  warns  a  Brother  of  approacning  danger,  and  to 
prepare  for  the  soothing  of  distressed  widows  and  help- 
less orphans. " 

fcssion.  Happy  is  the  brother  who  hath  sown  in  his 
heart  the  seed  of  Friendsnip,  which  will  spring  forth 
that  Charity  and  Love,  wnich  will  produce  the  fruit  of 
Benevolence. 


It  teaches  us  to  envy  not  our  neighbor.  Believe  not  a 
tale  when  reported  by  a  slander.  To  forgive  the  inju- 
res of  our  fellow  men.  Whoever  would  emulate  the 
character  ot  a  good  Knight  ought  ever  to  be  ready  to 
assist  the  needy  as  far  as  lies  in  his  power,  and  if  in  the 
most  pressing  time  of  necessity,  he  does  not  withhold  a 
liberal  hand,  the  most  heartfelt  pleasure  will  reward  his 
labors,  and  the  products  of  Love  and  Charity  will-,  most 
assuredly  follo\^^*<Lays  Banner  on  stone.)  ^ 

Grand  Chancellor. — "Brother  Past  Chancellor,  what 
implement  do  you  possess?" 

Vice  Chancellor.  (Drawing  his  sword  strikes  the 
stone  twice.) — "The  sword  to  protect  the  widows  and 
orphans."^   (Lays  sword  on  stone.) 

Grand  Chancellor. — "Brother  Chancellor  Commander 
what  is  the  color  of  your  Banner?" 

Chancellor  Commander. — "Red." 

Grand  Chancellor. — "Present  it  and  give  its  historical 
principles." 

Chancellor  Commander.  (  Waves  Banner  over  stone  and 
the  trumpet  will  sound  tnree  times.) 

Grand  Chancellor. — "Sir  Knights,  present  sworus." 
(All  Knights  in  Uniform  will  come  to  present;  those  not 
in  Uniform  will  uncover  at  this  command.) 

Prelate. — "Glory  to  God  in  the  highest.  Peace  on 
forth  good  will  to  all  men." 

Grand  Chancellor. — "Carry  swords;  rest. — "Brother 


—10— 


Chancellor  Commander  what  are  the  Chivalric  and 
Knightly  Principles  of  Chancellor  Commander. 

"The  rich  and  beautiful  color  of  my  banner  is  emble- 
matical of  fervency  and  zeal.  It  teaches  us  to  be  fer- 
vent in  the  exercise  of  our  devotions  to  God,  and  zeal- 
ous in  our  endeavors  to  promote  the  happiness  of  man. 
Th  oldest  version  now  extant  is  that  of  Cicero,  who  lived 
about  three  hundred  years  after  Damon  and  Pythias, 
during  the  first  century  before  Christ.  His  version  is 
that  Damon  and  Pythias,  two  of  the  flowers  of  Pytha- 
goras, were  so  closely  attached  to  each  other  that  when 
Dionysius,  the  tyrant  king,  ordered  one  of  them  to  be  put 
lo  death  on  a  certain  day,  the  condemned,  which  was  Da- 
mon, begged  for  a  respite  of  a  day  so  that  he  might  go 
home  to  attend  to  his  own  affairs,  and  see  his  wife  and 
child  before  he  should  die.  To  this  the  King  refused. 
But  Pythias  voluntarily  offered  himself  as  a  pledge,  and 
became  his  substitute  to  die  in  his  place  if  his  friend 
Damon  did  not  return.  But  at  the  time  appointed  for 
tbe  execution,  Damon  returned  to  meet  his  fate.  There- 
upon the  tyrant  King  was  so  much  amazed  at  their  ex- 
traordinary fidelity,  coupied  with  that  knightly  confi- 
dence, that  he  sought  to  De  admitted  as  a  third." 

Grand  Chancellor. — "What  implement  do  you  possess 
Chancellor  Commander?" 

Chancellor  Commander,  (Draws  his  sword  and  holds 
a  shield  over  the  stone.) — "The  sword  and  shield  to 
protect  and  defend  the  laws  of  our  Order."  (Lays  the 
shield  on  the  stone.) 

Grand  Chancellor.  (Strikes  the  stone  three  times  with 


—li- 


the gavel.) — "And  now,  with  this  gavel  I  dedicate  this 

foundation  stone  as  the  Castle  of —  Lodge, 

Knights  of  Pythias,  in  the  Jurisdiction  of  the  State  of 

—  ,  to  the  true  principles  of  Friendship."  (One 

rap;  sound  trumpet,)  "Charity"  (one  rap;  sound  trump- 
et) "and  Benevolence."  (one  rap;  sound  trumpet.) 

The  following  Ode  will  be  sung,  during  which  a  col- 
lection will  be  taken  up: 

(Air. — America) 

God  bless  our  Knightly  band, 

Firm  may  it  ever  stand 

Through  storm  and  night; 
When  the  wild  tempests  roar, 

Ruler  of  wind  and  wave, 
Do  thou  our  order  save 

By  Thy  great  might. 

For  this  our  prayers  ascend, 
God  bless,  protect,  defend; 
God,  guard  our  rights. 

Thou  who  art  ever  nigh, 
Viewing  with  watchful  eye, 

To  Thee  aloud  we  cry 
God  save  the  Knights. 

(After  taking  up  the  collection,  the  Grand  Chancellor 
will  deliver  the  following  charge:) 

Grand  Chancellor.— "My  dear  Brethren,  when  this 
Temple  is  finished,  and  you  shall  gather  within  its 
sacred  walls  and  from  time  to  time  encircle  around  its 
holy  Altar,  you  should  never    forget  its  teachings,  but 


—12— 


keep  forever  bright  the  ever  beautiful  principles  of  our 
Order.  Those  of  you  who  are  here  guarding  the  works 
of  the  Order,  should  require  of  those  asking  admittance, 
true,  immortal  honor.  Let  the  Order  become  more 
unanimously  established  and  regulated  than  it  has  been. 
Your  delicacy  in  admitting  new  members  into  the  Order 
should  bring  about  a  higher  degree  of  respect,  as  \he. 
merit  of  each  candidate  will  be  an  important  thing  paid 
attention  to.  With  the  true  principles  of  a  Pythian 
Knight  instilled  into  their  minds,  many  of  them  will  be 
made  grand  workers  in  this  grand  and  noble  Order. 

Notwithstanding  these  precautions  and  the  beautiful 
ceremonies  here  impressed,  the  Order  is  still  on  the  in- 
crease all  over  this  land.  We  should,  with  veneration  to 
God,  lhank  him  for  the  dedication  of  this  Temple  to  His 
holy  name.  Therefore,  Brethren,  let  us  offer  up  our 
prayers  to  the  Throne  of  Mercy,  that  we  may  never  be 
divided.  Amen. 

(All  respond — Amen  and  Amen.) 

Grand  Chancellor. — "The  Prelate  will  offer  up  the 
following  prayer." 


—13— 


PRAYER 

Prelate. — "Almighty  God,  Father  of  light  and  life 
and  love,  who  from  Thy  throne  above  bestowest  Thy  in- 
numerable blessings  upon  the  human  race,  we  implore 
Thy  bounteous  mercy  upon  this  assemblage,  impart  to  us 
the  knowledge  of  Thy  word.  Protect  this  order  and  its 
works,  and  cement  us  together  in  this  foundation  stone. 
Grant  us  strength  to  continue  our  journey  through  life 
in  the  propagation  of  truth  and  justice,  that  we  may  be 
enabled  to  benefit  those  oppressed  by  the  wokers  of  in- 
iquity; enlighten  the  ignorant,  strengthen  the  wo«ik, 
and  comfort  the  suffering;  and  to  Thee,  the  most  power- 
ful, the  most  holy,  the  everlasting  God,  be  the  honor 
and  glory,  forever  and  ever.  Amen. 

(All  respond.    Amen  and  Amen. 

All  join  in  singing  "Praise  God  from  whom  all  bless- 
ings flow." 

The  Lodge  and  Knights  will  proceed  back  to  their  Cas- 
tle Hall  in  the  same  order  they  came.  After  arriving  at 
the  hall  they  will  proceed  to  close  in  due  form. 


—14— 


CEREMONIES  FOR  DEDICATING  CASTLE  HALLS. 

General  Directions. 

The  ceremonies  used  in  laying  a  Corner  Stone  shall  al- 
so be  used  in  dedicating  a  Castle  Hall,  with  the  excep- 
tion  that,  wherever  the  words  "cornerstone"  or  "foun- 
dation stone"  appears,  use  the  word  "Altar"  or  "Castle." 

After  the  ceremonies  the  Lodge  will  proceed  to  close 
in  due  form. 

When  used  to  dedicate  buildings  and  lay  Corner  Stones 
for  other  than  Pythian  structures  substitute  the  proper 
words. 


